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molecules made of amino acids that helps carry out cellular respiration

The molecules made of amino acids that help carry out cellular respiration are enzymes

The molecules made of amino acids that help carry out cellular respiration are enzymes. Enzymes are biological molecules, typically proteins, that act as catalysts in chemical reactions. They facilitate and speed up various biochemical reactions in cells, including cellular respiration.

One of the key steps in cellular respiration is the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process occurs in several stages, such as glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Enzymes play a crucial role in each of these stages by catalyzing specific reactions, ensuring the efficient conversion of glucose into ATP.

For example, during glycolysis, the enzyme hexokinase helps in the phosphorylation of glucose, which is the first step of glucose metabolism. Another enzyme, phosphofructokinase, catalyzes the third step of glycolysis, promoting the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate.

In the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle, several enzymes are involved at various steps. For instance, citrate synthase is responsible for the production of citrate from acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate, while isocitrate dehydrogenase helps convert isocitrate to alpha-ketoglutarate.

Lastly, oxidative phosphorylation involves a series of enzyme complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. These complexes, such as NADH dehydrogenase, cytochrome c reductase, and ATP synthase, work together to transfer electrons, establish an electrochemical gradient, and produce ATP.

Overall, enzymes made of amino acids are essential components of cellular respiration. They play a vital role in facilitating the various chemical reactions, allowing cells to convert glucose into ATP efficiently. Without these enzymes, cellular respiration would be significantly impaired, hampering the production of energy required for the functioning of all living organisms.

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